Decision on Bloomfield site reserved until August
New staff report recommends putting the site back on the market
The fate of a former school property in Halifax's north end that's been the subject of protracted debate and ultimately fruitless redevelopment plans will remain unknown for at least a couple more months.
Work on a master plan for the Bloomfield site has been underway since 2008 with the help of a non-profit group called Imagine Bloomfield.
Discussions on Bloomfield's future were briefly revived at Tuesday's regional council meeting after the previous redevelopment effort collapsed more than a year ago.
But council decided to defer a decision on the site until mid-August.
"I think it's appropriate for us to take a pause here," said Coun. Waye Mason.
Back on the market?
Imagine Bloomfield's plan proposes affordable housing as well as space for cultural organizations and artistic businesses. The 1.3-hectare lot includes three buildings, two of which the city wants saved and reused.
The site was supposed to be redeveloped by Housing Nova Scotia, but the provincial agency walked away from the project in April 2016.
A new staff report discussed at regional council Tuesday recommended putting Bloomfield back on the market through a request for proposals, but recently the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial expressed interest in the property for a grades P-12 school.
Councillor 'a little frustrated' by delays
"I am 100 per cent fine with exploring that," said Coun. Lindell Smith. "I'm hoping that we will all be happy to work with each other."
Halifax's chief administrative officer, Jacques Dubé, agreed with the move to defer a decision on Bloomfield's future because there are "significant financial issues" to work out.
The delays don't sit well with everyone.
"I get a little frustrated with this property," said Coun. David Hendsbee.
"Personally I think we should give it to the Acadian school board for a dollar and let them build a new school and a new cultural centre."
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